AFD Investigating Whether Fireworks Caused Fires

The Austin and Travis County fire departments have responded to dozens of grass and trash fires in the last 24 hours. Crews responded to 29 small grass fires and 11 trash fires.

But, they say, for a hot, dry Fourth of July, there were actually fewer fires than they expected.

Most of the fires are still under investigation but Battalion Chief Thayer Smith says fireworks were likely involved in many.

“When you have 29 grass fires on the 4th of July and on the 3rd of July you only had two, certainly you would expect that the majority of those grass fires are obviously going to be related to fireworks in some form or fashion," said Smith.

Fire crews also responded to three structure fires this morning. Investigators determined one house fire in East Austin was arson. They deemed it a "total loss." No one was hurt, but the fire caused more than $80,000 in damages.

Another fire heavily damaged a mobile home on Williamson Creek Drive. No one was injured.

Fire crews are concerned that they could be busy with more fireworks-related fires this weekend as people continue to celebrate the holiday.

The use and possession of fireworks is illegal in the City of Austin.

Travis County is under a burn ban. And just this morning, Hays County also enacted an emergency burn ban.

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Travis County is under a burn ban but fireworks are still on sale . The county is allowing fireworks but not recommending their use. Keith Cooper sells fireworks for an American Fireworks stand. He thinks the burn ban is keeping some customers away. Sales have started off a little slow this year. People are a little leery of fire. But theyve been fairly well, said Cooper. Of course it always picks up during the holiday. The third and the fourth are always our best days. Vendors met with the Fire Marshals office yesterday and agreed not to sell winged fireworks, rockets and missiles thats because they pose the biggest fire risk .

About 45 fireworks stands will be operating in Travis County ahead of the Fourth of July. Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee says the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is currently at 378 , and a fireworks ban requires a drought index of 575. We anticipate an increased number of calls this year, just because of an increased level of awareness of people because of last years wildfire, Lee told Travis County commissioners this morning. He urged people to follow these safety guidelines if they use fireworks. Better yet, he said, they should just attend one of several public displays that are planned. Every year when consumers have fireworks, the number of fires increase in the unincorporated areas, he said. Thats generally due to people not using them appropriately.

The Austin Fire Department is reminding everyone to be extra careful to prevent grass fires. Fire crews responded to 12 calls about small grass fires yesterday afternoon, mostly along major roads. The fire department says the flare-ups were probably caused by cigarette butts. Travis County Commissioners put a burn ban back in effect on Tuesday. Cigarettes are not included in the burn ban, but the Austin Police Department will issue tickets for littering to anyone they see improperly dispose of their butts.

With the Fourth of July just nine days away, residents of Travis County can rest assured that fireworks will still be part of their holiday celebrations. But Travis County Commissioners are urging people to use caution. Thats after commissioners voted today to put a burn ban back in effect for unincorporated areas on the advice of fire marshal Hershel Lee. While fireworks can still be used and sold for the Fourth of July, they are still banned inside city limits, as is outdoor burning without a permit.